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9 Reasons to Adopt a Senior Pet

August 14, 2014 17 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. You won't pay a penny more, but you'll help keep It's Dog or Nothing running (websites are expensive!) and the floofs fed (they're even more expensive - as you well know) ;)

Rascal (our family's Samoyed) and I when he was 11. Doesn't look a day over 3 ;)
Rascal (our family’s Samoyed) and I when he was 11. Doesn’t look a day over 3 😉

August has been chosen as Adopt a Senior Pet month by BlogPaws, so I thought I would share some of the pawsome reasons to adopt a senior!

Vets typically say that dogs are considered seniors at the age of 7. However, this varies greatly between breeds. A small dog is probably still middle aged at 7, but a giant breed might be in their last years. According to the ASCPA, only 35% of dogs that enter shelters are adopted.

So here are my 9 reasons to adopt a senior dog.

  1. More likely to have manners.  Senior dogs probably have experienced some sort of training in their previous home. They may already know basic commands and house training. Remember, it can take a few weeks for a new dog to settle in, so don’t be surprised if ‘accidents’ occur.
  2. Less destructive. Senior dogs are usually past the chewing puppy/adolescent phase.
  3. No surprises. When you adopt a puppy from a shelter, you aren’t usually able to know what both of the parents look like. A senior dog will have finished growing and maturing. No uncertainty about their adult appearance!
  4. Purebreds can be found. Have your heart set on a specific breed? Many people do and that’s okay! Breed specific rescues can be found for almost any breed.
  5. Enjoy some relaxation. Do you have trouble keeping up with a puppy or simply don’t want to? Seniors tend to be past their endless energy, need stimulation 24/7 phase.
  6. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Seniors have a longer attention span than puppies. That makes training much simpler!
  7. More love to give. Senior dogs seem to have a special understanding that they have been saved. They shower their new owner with unwavering devotion.
  8. Wisdom. Look into any senior dog’s eyes. So much wisdom can be found.
  9. Make a statement. Adopting a senior shows that all lives have value. Dogs of every age deserve to be pampered, regardless of how much time they have left.

Would you adopt a senior pet? What are some other pawsome reasons to adopt and older pet?

Filed Under: Pyr Paw Around Tagged With: adopt, dog, pet, rescue, senior dog, shelter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 2 Brown Dawgs says

    August 14, 2014 at 6:10 am

    Those are all great reasons. 🙂

    Reply
  2. SlimDoggy (@MySlimDoggy) says

    August 14, 2014 at 7:03 am

    Our last three dogs have been seniors. I know we only have them in our lives a short time, but it’s quality, not quantity.

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      August 14, 2014 at 8:20 pm

      I completely agree.

      Reply
  3. Emily @ Adventures of a Dog Mom says

    August 14, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Of course I’d adopt a senior, they have a sweetness about them that I love.

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      August 14, 2014 at 8:20 pm

      They really do!

      Reply
  4. Kia says

    August 14, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Awesome reasons! 🙂

    Reply
  5. easyweimaraner says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I hope a lot of older pets will find a new home. They deserve a furever home as much as a puppy.

    Reply
  6. Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:28 am

    All wonderful reasons of course. It is so sad that SO many senior pets end up in shelters. What don’t people get about having a dog….they are for life, they are our family members! SO sad.
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      August 14, 2014 at 8:22 pm

      I volunteer at my local shelter and a few months ago there were 7 senior dogs there. I believe there was a total of 10 dogs at the shelter at that time 🙁

      Reply
  7. miley says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:31 am

    We agree, those are some great reasons! Mom loves working with the senior dogs at work, they have such kind souls! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. 24 Paws of Love says

    August 14, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Our first dog was given to us at age 9, when the owner couldn’t care for him anymore. He was the best dog ever! I would surely do it again. After a having a litter of puppies 6 years ago, I don’t know that I could get used to having a puppy again and all the work that comes with them.

    Reply
  9. M. K. Clinton says

    August 14, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    I believe that i would adopt a senior pet. Although, i know it’s crazy, I’m thinking of getting a Basset baby when Pierre moves.

    Reply
  10. Lisa Taron (The Pet Blog Lady) says

    August 14, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Oscar is a senior now at the ripe age of 13. I love him to bits!

    Reply
  11. Sand Spring Chesapeakes says

    August 14, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    Those are excellent reasons. I just love senior animals.

    Reply
  12. Chelsea Price says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    I adore senior dogs – and cats, for that matter! I hate seeing so many senior animals at the shelter…it really breaks my heart. People don’t seem to understand that older pets are (in general) SO MUCH easier to take care of than puppies or kittens! I love owning a senior dog…he fits my laid-back (in other words…lazy!) lifestyle, and I enjoy educating people about the joys of senior dogs. Great post!

    Reply
  13. Cute Pets says

    August 16, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Great tips! Thanks for sharing this info. I totally agree with this. You have less effort in training them.

    Reply
  14. jenjelly says

    August 17, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Great reasons indeed. It’s really surprising how many senior pet end up in the shelter system by surrender. “Oh we’re moving” or something along those lines, it’s so sad they have got to be so confused when they are thrown into that environment.

    Reply

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